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Taipei Lantern Festival Gears Up for Another Surprise as Large-Scale Float “Solar Rooster” Joins the Parade

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Post date:2017-02-08

Updates:2017-02-21

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On lantern festival day this Saturday (February 11 th ), visitors get to witness the largest “West Town Carnival Parade” ever to set foot in Ximending. The parade will feature several medium or large-scale floats. Aside from the “Matsu” and “Tattoo Man” floats already displayed on either sides of Zhonghua Road, another large float has joined the showcase today (February 6 th ). Created by a young designers and veteran craftsmen, the 8.5-meter tall, 8-meter long and 3.5-meter wide “Solar Rooster” float will soon join the lantern festival parade.

The “Solar Rooster” float was revealed in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Taipei mayor Ko Wen-Je, Department of Information and Tourism commissioner Chien Yu-Yen, Chang Hwa Bank vice president Tu Hong-Yao, Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation chairperson Ko I-Chen, float designer Chen Yu-Xi and Paper Windmill Studio Lin Jin-Long. The “Solar Rooster” float joins the others at the intersection of Zhonghua Road and Chengdu Road. On the day of the grand parade it will lead a 700-meter long convoy.

Taipei Lantern Festival Gears Up for Another Surprise as Large-Scale Float “Solar Rooster” Joins the Parade

Mayor Ko points out that while the location of this year’s lantern festival may be a historical part of Taipei, it is frequented by a substantial amount of young people. Ximending is a place where the old and the new come together, much like the creation of the “Solar Rooster” float, a collaboration between young designers and experienced craftsmen. The mayor would like to thank Chang Hwa Bank for sponsoring this project, allowing the lantern festival to shine even brighter.

Chang Hwa Bank vice president Tu Hong-Yao compliments the sleek exterior and vibrant colors of the float design. He also points out that the rooster’s stern glare and earnest posture echoes that of the corporate doctrine and new resolutions. Chang Hwa Bank was the first-ever publicly traded bank in Taiwan and often takes part in cultural events to fulfill social responsibilities. This year, the bank’s Chinese New Year cards are also printed with the “Solar Rooster” design to remind everyone to visit the Taipei lantern festive.

Taipei Lantern Festival Gears Up for Another Surprise as Large-Scale Float “Solar Rooster” Joins the Parade
 

The “Solar Rooster” float is designed by 27 year-old Chen Yu-Xi. The design exhibits the ample creative energy of the y-generation. Between new trends and traditional design, the golden flame pattern on the exhibit resembles that of a guardian deity. Inspiration of the design is from the fire and gold element of traditional Chinese alchemy, which happens to resonate with the elemental cycle of 2017. As red and gold solar flares emit from this streamline design, the rooster is meant to symbolize vigor, passion and confidence.

Paper Windmill Studio’s director Lin Jin-Long applied his many years of experience as a craftsman to the production of this 8.5-meter tall, 8-meter long, 3.5-meter wide large float. The float is built from glass fiber and other composite material, the spectacular crystallization of innovative designs and veteran craftsmanship.

Taipei Lantern Festival Gears Up for Another Surprise as Large-Scale Float “Solar Rooster” Joins the Parade

Taipei Lantern Festival runs until February 12th. Traffic restriction will be implemented during this time. The organizers urge visitors to take advantage of public transportation when possible. For more information, please visit the official website for 2017 Taipei Lantern Festival.
Taipei Lantern Festival Gears Up for Another Surprise as Large-Scale Float “Solar Rooster” Joins the Parade

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